Managing hypertension at home

The CDC estimates
that about 1 in 3 U.S. adults — or about 75 million people — have high blood
pressure (HBP), also known as hypertension. Only about half of these people
have their hypertension under control. This common condition increases the risk
for heart disease and stroke, two of the leading causes of death for Americans.

Because there are no symptoms for hypertension and no way to see
fluctuations in blood pressure, measuring is the only way to know if you are at
risk. Because one measurement taken at the doctor’s office provides a snapshot
of your blood pressure at that moment, a record of readings taken over time
provides a clearer picture of the situation inside of your arteries.

Some people experience anxiety when at a doctor’s office, causing their
blood pressure reading to be higher than normal. This condition is known as “white-coat
hypertension.” Data suggests that 15 to 30 percent of those believed to have
HBP may have lower blood pressure outside of the doctor’s office setting.

“Blood pressure is affected by various short-term factors, such as
emotions, stress, pain, physical activity and drugs — including caffeine and
nicotine,” says Dr. Nassir
Azimi, a board-certified cardiovascular disease and interventional
cardiology specialist affiliated with Sharp
Grossmont Hospital. “Multiple measurements over time can better predict
hypertension than the single measurement taken during a visit to your doctor’s
office.”

Understanding the numbers

The
two numbers in a blood pressure reading describe the amount of force pushing
against the artery walls when the heart is contracting and when it is at rest.According to the American
Heart Association, the optimal blood pressure reading is one in which the
systolic, or top number, is less than 120 and the diastolic, or bottom number,
is less than 80.

If your blood pressure reading is higher than normal during your office
visit, your doctor may recommend that you monitor your blood pressure at home. Analyzing
a record of blood pressure readings taken over time can help determine whether
the reading during your doctor’s visit is from “white-coat hypertension” or is
indicative of chronic HBP.

While home blood pressure monitoring is generally encouraged, it is
important to note that home monitoring devices are not recommended for certain
patients. For people with an irregular heartbeat, a home-monitoring device may
not be the best way to get accurate measurements. It is also important to calibrate
your digital device periodically by bringing it to the doctor’s office for
simultaneous comparison with the doctor’s manual sphygmomanometer, an
instrument used to measure blood pressure.

“For some patients, home blood pressure measurements may be helpful when combined
with regular monitoring at your doctor’s office,” says Dr. Azimi. “Ask your
doctor about whether taking blood pressure measurements at home is right for
you.”